Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Climate Change Convention

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2019 to Question 211608 on Climate Change Convention, if he will publish his formal application to host COP26 in 2020.

Claire Perry: This will be placed in the libraries of the House.

Fuel Poverty

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many households have been classified as being in fuel poverty; and how many of those households include (a) children and (b) people aged over 60 in each of the last three years.

Claire Perry: This is publicly available information: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fuel-poverty-trends-2018

Energy: Business

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to encouraging businesses to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.

Claire Perry: The Clean Growth Strategy sets out our ambition to enable business consumers to reduce their energy usage by improving energy efficiency by at least 20% by 2030, potentially reducing carbon emissions by 22MtCO2e over the fifth Carbon Budget. At Budget, in November 2018, we announced up to £315M for an Industrial Energy Transformation Fund to support businesses with high energy use to invest in energy efficiency and decarbonisation measures. We also announced we would publish a call for evidence in 2019 on introducing a new Business Energy Efficiency Scheme, focused on smaller businesses. We have introduced a more streamlined energy and carbon reporting framework to help businesses to reduce their carbon emissions and associated energy costs, which will come into force on 1 April this year. Under the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), all large businesses are required to audit the energy used by their buildings, industrial processes and transport to identify cost-effective energy saving measures. We are undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the impact and effectiveness of ESOS and will consider future reforms when the current phase ends in December 2019. The Climate Change Agreements Scheme incentivises a wide range of industrial sectors to reduce energy use and carbon dioxide emissions in return for a significant discount on the Climate Change Levy. And we have recently launched a new £18 million Industrial Heat Recovery Support Programme that supports the recovery and re-use of waste heat from industrial processes, and committed £8.8 million to promote innovative approaches to energy management using smart meters. We are taking steps to build capacity and capability in the energy services market including through a £5.6 million competition to encourage innovation in aggregating and scaling up smaller energy saving projects across commercial and industrial buildings. We are also working to ensure that those who lease premises to businesses continue to refurbish and improve the performance of their buildings. This included bringing new regulations into force in April last year which set a minimum energy efficiency standard for non-domestic rented buildings. On current plans, we will consult on proposals to go further in 2019. In parallel, we are clear that all new commercial and industrial buildings should be more energy efficient and are planning to review Part L of the Building Regulations in 2019.

Tidal Power and Wave Power

Darren Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the economic benefits of the UK's wave and tidal stream energy sectors.

Claire Perry: Wave and tidal energy are still at a pre-commercial stage of development. A report published by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult in February 2018[1] estimated that if cost competitive, wave energy had the potential to add a net positive contribution to the UK economy but the sector lagged around ten years behind the tidal sector. [1] https://ore.catapult.org.uk/?attachment_id=6260

Tidal Power and Wave Power: Exports

Darren Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the extent of the potential export market for the UK's wave and tidal stream energy technologies.

Claire Perry: Wave and tidal stream technologies are still at a pre-commercial stage of development. A report published by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult in 2018[1] estimated that, if the technologies can reduce their costs sufficiently to compete with other forms of generation, the by 2050 the global market for tidal stream energy could be up to 101GW installed capacity and for wave energy, 236GW. [1] https://ore.catapult.org.uk/?attachment_id=6260

Tidal Power and Wave Power

Darren Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to support the UK's wave and tidal stream energy sector.

Claire Perry: The Government has a long history of supporting the development and deployment of wave and tidal stream technologies in the UK. Since 2010, various bodies across Government have made almost £80m of grant funding available to the wave and tidal sectors. Wave and tidal stream projects are eligible to enter the forthcoming Contract for Difference allocation round.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Brexit

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many officials from his Department have been seconded from their primary role to make preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Alan Duncan: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has created approximately 550 EU Exit roles in the UK and overseas to work on a range of issues including Deal and No Deal scenarios and EU Exit planning. We have used these roles to strengthen our diplomatic network in the UK and across Europe so that we are better able to represent and promote British interests and engage with our European partners in support of a successful EU Exit. In addition, other staff are also engaged on EU Exit planning as part of their wider responsibilities. The FCO continues to keep its EU Exit staffing levels under constant review to ensure that they are appropriate to deliver the Government's objectives.

Sudan: Politics and Government

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the situation in Sudan since demonstrations began on 19 December 2018; and if he will make a statement.

Harriett Baldwin: The UK is concerned by the Government of Sudan's violent response to recent protests, including the use of lethal force and arbitrary detentions, and the targeting of medical facilities. On 8 January, alongside Troika (UK, USA, Norway) partners and Canada, we released a statement urging the Sudanese Government to respect the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, to ensure those responsible for the deaths of protestors are held to account, and calling for the immediate release of those held in detention without charge or trial. We continue to monitor the situation and raise our concerns at the highest levels. During a meeting with the Sudanese Foreign Minister on 22 January I conveyed the UK concern about the Sudan Government response to protests and emphasised the importance of rule of law and human rights.

Department of Health and Social Care

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Laura Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps to exempt people with diagnosed long-term mental health illnesses from prescription charges.

Steve Brine: The Department has no current plans to amend the list of medical conditions that provide exemption from National Health Service prescription charges, as extensive arrangements are in place to ensure that people, including those with mental health illnesses, can access affordable prescriptions.

Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will consider making it a priority of his Departmental to extend the HPV vaccination programme to include male boys.

Steve Brine: The Department announced on 24 July 2018 that it is extending the human papillomavirus girls’ vaccination programme to boys and is working with Public Health England and NHS England to roll this out as soon as possible during the 2019/20 academic year.

Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment the Department has made of the effectiveness of extending the HPV vaccination programme to male boys to reduce incidents of cervical cancer in women.

Steve Brine: In its review of the modelling of the impact and cost effectiveness of vaccinating adolescent boys the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) noted that by vaccinating boys as well as girls, additional cases of cervical and non-cervical cancer will be prevented in women. The JCVI statement, including a review of the evidence, is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jcvi-statement-extending-the-hpv-vaccination-programme-conclusions

Cervical Cancer: Screening

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will consider making cervical screening available on the NHS for women under the age of 25.

Steve Brine: In 2012 the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) which advises ministers and the National Health Service in all four countries about all aspects of screening policy, recommended that the age of the first invitation for cervical screening should be age 25. This was based on evidence that there is little benefit for screening women below this age. Cervical cancer in women under the age of 25 is very rare with 2.6 cases per 100,000 women and younger women often undergo natural and harmless changes in the cervix that screening could identify as cervical abnormalities, and in most cases these abnormalities resolve themselves without any need for intervention. Further, the vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), introduced in 2008, is now routinely recommended for all girls aged 12 to 13 years and the first cohort of teenage girls to receive the HPV vaccination in year 8 (those born since September 1996) will turn 23 this year and become eligible for routine screening in two years’ time. The impact the vaccination will have on the number of abnormalities detected through routine cervical screening will be carefully monitored. If a woman of any age including those under 25, has unusual symptoms, usually abnormal bleeding, they should consult their general practitioner immediately. They will be treated under the NHS and initially offered a speculum examination in accordance with the guidance for primary care on the management of young women who present with gynaecological symptoms.

Electronic Cigarettes

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress he has made on implementing the recommendations accepted by the Government in its response to the Science and Technology Committee's Seventh Report of Session 2017-19 on E-cigarettes, HC505.

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Seventh Report of Session 2017-19 of the Science and Technology Committee on E-cigarettes, HC505, what steps he has taken to ensure that the regulatory system for e-cigarettes is risk-proportionate.

Steve Brine: The Government published its response to the Science and Technology Committee on the 10 December 2018. Good progress is being made on implementing the report’s recommendations: for example, Public Health England will publish its latest annual evidence review on e-cigarettes by the end of March 2019 and NHS England is developing guidance on e-cigarettes for mental health trusts. The Department will continue to monitor progress as part of its monitoring of the delivery of the Tobacco Control Plan for England. The Government believes in proportionate regulation of e-cigarettes, recognising that they are not risk-free. Through the European Union Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU (TPD), transposed into United Kingdom law by the UK Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR), we have introduced measures to regulate e-cigarettes to reduce the risk of harm to children, protect against any risk of renormalisation of tobacco use, provide assurance on relative safety for users, and give businesses legal certainty. This has enabled the UK to implement appropriate standards for products whilst allowing smokers to move to e-cigarettes should they wish. While the UK Government is a member of the EU it will continue to comply with the requirements of the EU’s TPD. The Government has made a commitment to review the TRPR by May 2021 to consider its regulatory impact. In addition, as announced in the Tobacco Control Plan the Government will review where the UK’s exit from the EU offers us opportunities to re-appraise current regulation to ensure this continues to protect the nation’s health.

Electronic Cigarettes

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether companies are prevented from (a) encouraging smokers to switch to vaping and (b) advertising price reductions for e-cigarettes.

Steve Brine: The United Kingdom Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR) covers the regulation of e-cigarettes transposed from the European Union’s Tobacco Products Directive. Regulation 38 of the TRPR covers product presentation requirements and defines what can be written on a unit packet and any container pack of the electronic cigarette or refill container. Products may not for example suggest that a particular electronic cigarette or refill container is less harmful than other electronic cigarettes or refill containers; has vitalising, energising, healing, rejuvenating, natural or organic properties; or has other health or lifestyle benefits. These regulations also prohibit price reductions. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is responsible for monitoring the marketing and advertising of non-broadcast communications for electronic cigarettes. Section 22 of the ASA Committee of Advertising Practice Code concerns the regulation of marketing communications for electronic cigarettes. The code does not allow for medicinal claims but provides advice on how health claims can be made for marketing purposes that are not restricted by regulation. The Government has made a commitment to review the TRPR by May 2021 to consider its regulatory impact. In addition, as announced in the Tobacco Control Plan the Government will review where the UK’s exit from the EU offers us opportunities to re-appraise current regulation to ensure this continues to protect the nation’s health.

Ophthalmology: Databases

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what replacement funding will be available for the National Ophthalmology Database audit when its current funding from the Health Quality Improvement Partnership ceases in August 2019.

Steve Brine: Most National Clinical Audit and Patient Outcomes Programme (NCAPOP) contracts, including the National Ophthalmology Database audit, are commissioned on a contract that allows three years of funding and a further extension of two years, up to a maximum period of five years. Following an expert evaluation panel in 2017, it was agreed to extend the National Ophthalmology Database audit for two further years, providing a total of five years funding, the maximum allowed under the current contract. Advice received from NHS England confirms there are currently no plans to continue funding the National Ophthalmology Database audit, under the NCAPOP, after its current funding ceases in August 2019.

Health Services: Reciprocal Arrangements

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that British citizens can access medical treatment in EU countries (a) for free or (b) at a reduced cost after 29 March 2019.

Stephen Hammond: The United Kingdom Government appreciates the importance of retaining reciprocal healthcare arrangements with the European Union and has been clear in the negotiations that it wants to protect the rights of UK citizens in the EU.Subject to the Withdrawal Agreement being agreed by Parliament, during the implementation period the current rules on reciprocal healthcare will continue until December 2020. The rights of UK nationals living in the EU, and who fall within the scope of the Withdrawal Agreement, will continue to be protected after December 2020, for as long as these individuals remain in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.In the event that the UK exits the EU without a deal, EU citizens resident in the UK by 29 March 2019 will be able to stay and continue to access in country benefits and services, including healthcare, on broadly the same terms as now. This demonstrates the UK Government’s ongoing commitment to citizens and removes any ambiguity over their future. We are engaging with EU counterparts to urge them to make the same commitment to protect the rights of UK nationals in the EU. The UK Government is seeking agreements with Member States, so that no individual will face sudden changes to their healthcare cover.

Ambulance Services: Kent

Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average ambulance response time to emergency calls is from (a) Dover and (b) Deal.

Stephen Hammond: Information is not available in the format requested. National and individual ambulance National Health Service trust level performance is available and is published monthly by NHS England. This can be found online at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ambulance-quality-indicators/

Department for Education

Children: Greater Manchester

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the increase in the number of looked after children, child protection plans and children in need throughout (a) Salford and (b) Greater Manchester in the last five years.

Nadhim Zahawi: The department publishes information on looked after children, child protection plans and children in need in local authorities, including those within the Greater Manchester area, in the Local Authority Interactive Tool. This can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-interactive-tool-lait.There are a range of factors that contribute to trends in demand for children’s social care including deprivation in different local authorities. The most deprived local authorities have more looked after children (per 10,000 0-17 year olds), and these rates have grown faster, than the least deprived local authorities. The most common factors that present themselves in children’s social care assessments are domestic abuse and mental health. Data on this is available in Table C3 of statistical release ‘Characteristics of children in need 2017-18’ at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/characteristics-of-children-in-need-2017-to-2018.In preparation for the Spending Review, to help ensure decisions are based on the best available evidence, the government is working with the sector to develop a sharper and more granular picture of demand for children’s services.

Pupils: Per Capita Costs

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much was spent per pupil in each local authority area in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Nick Gibb: The attached table shows the funding the department have allocated per pupil to every local authority in England through the schools block of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 2019-20. This covers pupils aged 5 to 16.An amount per pupil was calculated by dividing a local authority’s total schools block allocation (including funding through the premises, mobility and growth factors) by their primary and secondary pupil head count.In addition to schools block funding, local authorities also receive funding from separate funding streams and additional grants, such as the early years, central schools services, and high needs blocks of the DSG, and the Pupil Premium.Local authorities continue to be responsible for distributing funding to schools in their local area, and information on spending per pupil by local authorities can be found in their Section 251 returns.



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Department for Education: Brexit

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many officials from his Department have been seconded from their primary role to make preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: The Department for Education has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Heavy Goods Vehicles: Apprentices

Sir Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many road haulage apprenticeships at each level were started in each of the last three years for which data is available; how many of those apprenticeships were completed; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: The attached table shows the number of apprenticeship starts and achievements by each academic year for road haulage-related apprenticeships. These figures are published in the apprenticeships data library, which can be accessed at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fe-data-library-apprenticeships. 



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Ministry of Justice

Ministry of Justice: Brexit

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many officials from his Department have been seconded from their primary role to make preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal; and if he will make a statement.

Lucy Frazer: The Ministry of Justice has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Police: Small Claims

Ellie Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of an increase to the small claims limit on the ability of police officers injured in a road traffic accident while travelling on a motorbike in the course of their employment to access free legal representation.

Ellie Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of an increase to the small claims limit on the ability of police officers injured in a road traffic accident while mounted on a horse in the course of their employment to access free legal representation.

Ellie Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of an increase to the small claims limit on the ability of police officers injured in a road traffic accident while travelling on a bicycle in the course of their employment to access free legal representation.

Ellie Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of an increase to the small claims limit on the ability of paramedics injured in a road traffic accident while travelling on a bicycle in the course of their employment to access free legal representation.

Ellie Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of an increase to the small claims limit on the ability of paramedics injured in a road traffic accident while travelling on a motorbike in the course of their employment to access free legal representation.

Ellie Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of an increase to the small claims limit on the ability of police officers injured in a road traffic accident while travelling on foot in the course of their employment to access free legal representation.

Ellie Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of an increase to the small claims limit on the ability of couriers injured in a road traffic accident while travelling on a bicycle in the course of their employment to access free legal representation.

Ellie Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of an increase to the small claims limit on the ability of police officers injured in a road traffic accident while travelling in a car in the course of their employment to access free legal representation.

Ellie Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of an increase to the small claims limit on the ability of paramedics injured in a road traffic accident while travelling in an ambulance in the course of their employment to access free legal representation.

Ellie Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of an increase to the small claims limit on the ability of postal worker injured in a road traffic accident while travelling in a postal van in the course of their employment to access free legal representation.

Edward Argar: The increase in the Small Claims Track limit to £5,000 for road traffic accident-related personal injury claims will apply to the occupants of a motor vehicle. The increase will apply to all such claimants, whether they are driving, or a passenger in, a motor vehicle, and whether or not they were injured in the course of their employment.Pedestrians, motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders will not be covered by the increase.The Government’s reforms do not impact on access to justice and all claimants affected by this increase will be supported by a new easy to use IT Portal which will help enable the effective resolution of their claim pre-court and without the need for legal representation. Claimants will still be able to bring their claim in the low cost small claims court process, which is designed to be both accessible and uncomplicated, should they need to progress their claim through the courts.

Ministry of Justice: Brexit

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which EU agencies his Department plans to seek continued membership of after the UK has left the EU; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Argar: During the Implementation Period, the terms of the UK’s participation in EU agencies and bodies will be as set out in Article 128 of the Withdrawal Agreement. Following our exit from the European Union, we are committed to maintaining a close and collaborative relationship with the EU. Our future partnership is a matter for the next phase of negotiations and we look forward to constructive discussions with the EU.

Treasury

Public Houses: Non-domestic Rates

Layla Moran: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will announce a review of the business rates system for pubs.

Mel Stride: The Government keeps all taxes under review. Pubs currently benefit from a £1,000 discount on their business rates bills, and many small pubs also benefit from 100% Small Business Rate Relief and Rural Rate Relief. Pubs will be significant beneficiaries of the business rates discount announced at Budget 2018. This is a bill cut of one-third for retailers and pubs with a rateable value below £51,000, subject to state aid limits and eligibility for other reliefs. All ratepayers will benefit from the switch from RPI to CPI indexation of the multiplier, worth £5bn over the next five years.

Duty Free Allowances

Sir Graham Brady: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on his policies of the EU returning to duty free arrangements in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal; and whether the UK will reciprocate to ensure a parity of arrangements for UK businesses.

Mel Stride: The issues around duty-free are complex, with a range of possible approaches. The government is clear that tax is a sovereign matter and that it will be open to the UK government and Parliament to decide to change its policy in the future, subject to any negotiations with the EU. The Chancellor made clear at the Treasury Select Committee on 5 November that there are no plans at the moment to review the duty-free situation, when asked about the possible reintroduction of duty-free after March 2019.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Housing: China and Russia

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on investment in UK property by citizens of (a) China and (b) Russia; and if he will make a statement.

Kit Malthouse: We do not hold data on property ownership by national citizenship. However the Government recognises that purchases of homes by residents not in the UK can contribute to inflating house prices. Foreign nationals making overseas purchases of UK property have made it more difficult for UK residents to purchase a home of their own. That is why HM Treasury are consulting on the details of a Stamp Duty land tax surcharge for foreign non-resident buyers.   We continue to welcome overseas investment in the UK housing market which continues to make an important contribution towards the Government's target of building 300,000 homes per year by the mid 2020’s.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Brexit

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many officials from his Department have been seconded from their primary role to make preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal; and if he will make a statement.

Jake Berry: A number of central teams have been established within the Department to lead and manage the work required to prepare for the UK's exit from the EU. These teams have been built up in a phased and gradual manner to reflect the increase in work associated with our exit from the EU. Until recently approximately 60 staff were deployed to this work, which covers all exit scenarios including a no deal scenario. We have however now redeployed a further 30 staff from their previous role to work on these central teams. Other staff from across the Department will have been redeployed within their Directorates to support or undertake work which will involve preparations for the UK's exit from the EU in all scenarios.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Brexit

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which EU agencies his Department plans to seek continued membership of after the UK has left the EU; and if he will make a statement.

Jake Berry: During the Implementation Period, the terms of the UK’s participation in EU agencies and bodies will be as set out in Article 128 of the Withdrawal Agreement.  Following our exit from the European Union, we are committed to maintaining a close and collaborative relationship with the EU. Our future partnership is a matter for the next phase of negotiations and we look forward to constructive discussions with the EU.

Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence: Brexit

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many officials from his Department have been seconded from their primary role to make preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Lancaster: It is the top priority of the Government to leave the EU with a deal, but it is also the responsibility of Government to prepare for all scenarios, including the prospect of a no deal. The Civil Service is focused on delivering the Government's most pressing priorities, so it is only sensible that we make use of the resources and expertise we have available to make sure the UK is prepared for all Brexit scenarios on exit day. This includes Departments sharing staff and working together on joint projects. The number of staff being seconded from the Ministry of Defence as part of a coordinated exercise is yet to be determined.

France: Military Alliances

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2019 to Question 212337, when his Department plans to nominate the Type 45 Destroyer which will escort the French Aircraft Carrier, Charles De Gaulle when it departs for its operational cruise of the Indian and Pacific oceans.

Mark Lancaster: As stated in my answer of 29 January 2019 to Question 212337, this remains subject to confirmation through the Departmental planning process.

Department for Work and Pensions

Personal Independence Payment: Medical Examinations

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment has been carried out into (a) the experience that health care professionals carrying out assessments for personal independence payment have of the medical conditions of claimants and (b) other aspects of the suitability of those professionals.

Sarah Newton: Holding answer received on 12 February 2019



Health Professionals that carry out PIP Assessments on behalf of DWP must have the following qualifications and experience: are an occupational therapist, nurse (level 1), physiotherapist or paramedic. Doctors support assessments as part of the overall clinical assurance process but do not currently undertake any PIP assessments. are fully registered with the relevant licensing body (doctors must have a licence to practise). The licensing body has not placed restrictions on the healthcare professional’s registration. at least 2 years post full registration experience or less than 2 years post full registration experience by individual agreement with the Department. It is DWP’s policy that Health Professionals who meet this criteria will have appropriate experience to complete a functional assessment. Assessment Providers are required to ensure Health Professionals have knowledge of the clinical aspects and likely functional effects of a wide range of health conditions and impairments. All Health Professionals employed to conduct PIP assessments are required to complete Continuous Professional Development to keep their knowledge up to date. In addition, Assessment Provides have Mental Function Champions available to provide relevant advice and support to Health Professionals about mental health conditions and cognitive impairments.

Department for Work and Pensions: Correspondence

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what her Department's target time-frame is for its decision letters to reach claimants from the date on such correspondence.

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of extending the time-frame for mandatory reconsideration and appeal submissions to run from the expected date of receipt of the decision letter by the claimant.

Sarah Newton: Our correspondence, including decision letters, is issued via 2nd class post in keeping with our responsibility to efficiently use public funds; so we expect it to arrive within three working days, including Saturdays. There are no plans to change the start date of the period to apply for a Mandatory Reconsideration or make an appeal. The extension of that period can include the consideration of any postal delay.

Universal Credit

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to increase awareness of the option to request more frequent universal credit payments.

Alok Sharma: We will be running various pilots in jobcentres from Spring 2019 to actively explain and promote more frequent payments to claimants at the outset of their Universal Credit claim. The overall trial will last for four weeks, followed by a period of evaluation. This analysis will take place over a 3-month period to track the trial cohort to identify take up rates, effects on payment timeliness, effects on phone calls and reversion rates. These outcomes will be expected in the Summer. This evidence will then inform our approach to the delivery of more frequent payments going forward, in order to ensure that the claimants who need these arrangements receive them.

Children: Maintenance

Angela Crawley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the merits of introducing a statutory definition of day-to-day care for the purpose of determining whether there is a requirement for either parent to pay child maintenance when they have equal shared overnight care.

Justin Tomlinson: The Service’s definition of a day-to-day care for the purpose of establishing the receiving parent is broadly aligned with that of Child Benefit, where an overall care test is used to determine entitlement. Entitlement to receive Child Benefit is used as an indicator at the application stage. There are currently no plans to change the process of establishing maintenance liability.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Brexit

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many officials from his Department have been seconded from their primary role to make preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal; and if he will make a statement.

David Rutley: Over 80% of Defra’s agenda is affected by the UK’s departure from the European Union and as a result many roles across the Defra group are now supporting work related to our departure from the EU, either directly or indirectly. We are unable to disaggregate between ‘deal’ and ‘no deal’ planning work.

Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish the responses to Annex A of the Seasonal Workers Pilot Request for Information submitted by (a) Pro-Force Limited and (b) Concordia UK.

George Eustice: Defra has no plans to publish the responses to the Request for Information, as this could potentially harm the commercial interests of the parties who responded to it.

Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who his Department consulted in assessing responses to Annex A of the Seasonal Workers Pilot Request for Information.

George Eustice: The responses to the request for information (RFI) were assessed by a panel of Defra officials, against the criteria set out in the RFI. The review process included assessment by commercial and finance specialists. The Pilot was designed by Defra and the Home Office, with input from industry.

Stoats: Pest Control

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to control stoat numbers.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: While the Government regulates the management of wildlife it is not directly involved in the control of stoats. Responsibility for management lies with the landowner or occupier.

Salmon

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to increase stocks of (a) wild and (b) farmed salmon in the UK.

George Eustice: The management of wild salmon populations, freshwater fisheries and salmon farming is devolved. In England, the Government is collaborating with industry on the “Salmon Five Point Approach” to address the pressures that cause salmon numbers to fall, such as water quality, migration barriers, marine survival and exploitation. In 2018, the Government introduced National Salmon and Sea Trout Protection byelaws which restrict recreational and net fisheries in England, to reduce exploitation and conserve adult salmon enabling them to spawn successfully.

Birds of Prey: Theft

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to prevent birds of prey being stolen to order.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Government takes wildlife crime, including the illegal taking of birds of prey, seriously. All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, with strong penalties for those committing offences against birds of prey including up to six months in prison and/or an unlimited fine. Birds of prey are listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which controls trade in endangered species through a permitting system. This protects species from the risk of extinction due to unsustainable trade. The Control of Trade in Endangered Species Regulations 2018 means that anyone committing CITES offences, including trying to trade in birds of prey taken from the wild, could face up to five years’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. Raptor persecution and CITES issues are two of six UK wildlife crime priorities. Local police and Border Force are responsible for wildlife crime enforcement. The National Wildlife Crime Unit, which is co-funded by Defra and the Home Office, provides intelligence to support police and Border Force enforcement activities.

Agriculture: Young People

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to encourage young people into farming.

George Eustice: Having a skilled workforce in place and attracting young talent into agricultural careers is vital for the future of UK food and farming. The Government is working with industry bodies, such as the Food and Drink Sector Council, to improve access to the talent and skills required by the industry and raise awareness of agriculture as an exciting and attractive career path. The Government is reforming post-16 technical education to provide clear routes to skilled employment in agriculture and other sectors. A key part of this is the introduction of new T levels programmes, which alongside apprenticeships, will sit within 15 routes, including an Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care route. The Government published a Policy Statement in September 2018, alongside its landmark Agriculture Bill. This sets out how we will help facilitate structural change to open up more opportunities for new entrants to farming by delinking Direct Payments from the land during the agricultural transition period. This will give farmers freedom over how they use funding from Direct Payments. Some may use the money to invest in their business. Others may choose to use the money to diversify their activities or decide to stop farming altogether and use the payment to contribute to their retirement. It should increase the ease with which new entrants, and those existing farmers wishing to expand, could acquire land. We are also exploring how to help Local Authorities who want to invest in their Council Farms, so that they offer real opportunities for new farmers to start a foundation business and gain the experience they need to progress onto a larger unit.

Ramsgate Port: Dredging

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer on 15 January 2019 to Question 207205 on Dredging of the Port of Ramsgate, whether the Marine Management Organisation have granted a license to the Port of Ramsgate for the dredging of the port as part contingency planning for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Under section 75 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act, certain activities by a harbour authority (or on behalf of one), within their area, are exempt from requiring a marine licence if they have a local act or a harbour order (the Ramsgate Corporation Act 1934 is the relevant local act in this case). As a result of the dredging activity, referenced within the answer provided on 15 January 2019 to Question 207205, no arisings are being physically excavated during the dredging work and there is no material which requires disposal. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has not therefore granted a licence for the specific works being undertaken. The MMO did issue a separate marine licence (L/2016/00086/2) on 18 March 2016 for ongoing maintenance and navigational dredging to the Port of Ramsgate which licences activity at the port until 2026.

Fisheries: Quotas

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will remove the existing fishing quotas in 2019 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

George Eustice: The Government is planning for all scenarios including leaving the EU without a deal. We have published a technical notice on arrangements for UK fisheries should we leave the EU without a withdrawal agreement. UK fisheries administrations would advise UK quota holders what their allocation will be for the remaining months of 2019 after we leave the EU.

Home Office

Passports: Lost Property

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many passports were lost by his Department's Immigration Section in the last 12 months.

Caroline Nokes: Data on lost passports in the last 12 months is not captured and consolidated across the Border, Immigration and Citizenship System. To find this information would require interrogation of individual case records and therefore could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.From November 2018, the majority of immigration applicants who apply to confirm or extend their stay in the UK, or apply for citizenship, will be managed by the Home Office’s new commercial partner Sopra Steria on behalf of UK Visas and Immigration. As part of this new service, for the first time, applicants will be able to retain their passport and supporting evidence as part of the application process

Drugs: Misuse

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent progress he has made on the implementation of the Drug Strategy, published in July 2017.

Victoria Atkins: Nationally, the Government is already delivering a range of actions through the 2017 Drug Strategy to prevent drug misuse in our communities, support people to recover from dependence on drugs, and support enforcement partners to tackle the illicit drug trade. We have established a Home Secretary-chaired Board which includes representation from Government departments and wider partners that are critical to drive implementation of the commitments in the 2017 Drug Strategy.However, we recognise there is still further to go to tackle the problems caused by drugs.,That is why, on 8 February, the Home Secretary appointed Professor Dame Carol Black to lead a major review that will look into the ways in which drugs are fuelling serious violence.First announced in the Home Secretary’s conference speech in October, the initial stage of the wide-ranging review will look at who drug users are, what they are taking, and how often in order to build the most in-depth and comprehensive picture of this issue to date.  The review, which will build on existing Government strategies to combat drugs, serious violence and serious and organised crime, will examine the harms that drugs cause and the best ways to prevent drug-taking.

Immigrants: Detainees

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the longest period spent in immigration detention by a detainee who left an Immigration Removal Centre between June 2017 and October 2018.

Caroline Nokes: The Home Office publish data on the number of people leaving detention by year and quarter, broken down by length of detention. The latest data is available in tables dt_06 and dt_06_q of the immigration statistics, year ending June 2018: Detention tables.Figures for July to September 2018 will be released on 29 November 2018 in Immigration statistics, year ending September 2018, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release

Cannabis: Sentencing

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a mandatory custodial sentence for people charged with repeated possession of cannabis.

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a mandatory custodial sentence for people repeatedly convicted of trading class B drugs.

Mr Nick Hurd: There are no plans to introduce mandatory custodial sentences for those charged with possession or supply of a Class B drug (including cannabis).The police have a range of powers at their disposal to deal with drug-related offences in a way that is proportionate to the circumstances of the offender and the public interest. It is for the courts to decide the sentence in each case subject to the maximum sentence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and any relevant guidelines produced by the Sentencing Council.

Hate Crime

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many cases of hate crime there have been in each police force area in each of the last five years.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Home Office collects and publishes statistics on the number of Hate crime offences recorded by the police in England and Wales. Data at the Police Force Area level are published in Open Data Tables and can be found here:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/749319/prc-hate-crime-open-data.ods

Fife Migrants Forum: Expenditure

Stephen Gethins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what funding his Department has provided to Fife Migrants Forum.

Caroline Nokes: According to our financial records the Home Office has never made a payment to Fife Migrants Forum.

Fire and Rescue Services: Staff

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of firefighters are (a) female, (b) from a black, minority or ethnic background and (c) female and from a black, minority or ethnic background in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Mr Nick Hurd: Home Office publishes annual figures on fire and rescue service staff diversity by protected characteristics, including gender and ethnicity. These can be found in tables FIRE1103 and FIRE1104, here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fire-statistics-data-tables#workforce-and-workforce-diversityThese are aggregate data, collected separately for each characteristic, so it is not possible to say how many staff are both female and from a black and minority ethnic background.

Department for Exiting the European Union

British Nationals Abroad: EU Countries

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, if his Department will estimate the number of UK citizens residing in EU countries who will return to the UK after 29 March in (a) 2019 and (b) 2020, in the event of the UK leaving the EU (i) with a Withdrawal Agreement and (ii) without a deal.

Mr Robin Walker: The Withdrawal Agreement includes protections for the rights of citizens including UK nationals currently living in the EU, which will allow them to continue living their lives broadly as they do now in the countries where they currently live.The Government has been clear that we do not want or expect a no deal scenario. However, we will continue to do the responsible thing and prepare for all eventualities. This includes the potential impact of a no deal scenario on UK nationals currently resident in the EU.The Office for National Statistics calculates there are approximately 780,000 UK nationals who currently live in the EU, excluding Ireland. Some of them could decide to return to the UK depending on a range of factors including action by EU member states and personal circumstances.On 19 December, the European Commission reconfirmed their commitment to putting citizens’ rights first and called on Member States to take a generous approach to the rights of UK nationals in the EU. The majority of Member States, including France, Spain and the Netherlands, have set out their no deal plans and provided reassurances that the rights of UK nationals will be protected. The Government hopes that other Member States will set out the detail of their plans to protect the rights of UK nationals, in line with our assurances to EU citizens living in the UK, so there should be no need for them to leave.

European Council

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, which Member State has most often been on the losing side in votes within the European Council since 2004.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The European Council does not keep a formal record of votes held and HMG does not track this. However, the Council of the EU keeps a record of voting results, which is available to the public here:https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/general-secretariat/corporate-policies/transparency/open-data/

Department for Exiting the European Union: Staff

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) permanent and (b) contracted staff in his Department in each of the last 12 months.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The number of staff employed by the Department for Exiting the European Union is published, each month, on gov.uk as part of our transparency reporting. It can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-exiting-the-european-union-monthly-workforce-management-information-for-2017-and-2018The figures set out the number of payroll staff employed at the end of each month and the number of non-payroll staff (contingent labour and consultants/consultancy). The data for January is due for publication at the beginning of March.

Department for Exiting the European Union: Brexit

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, which EU agencies his Department plans to seek continued membership of after the UK has left the EU; and if he will make a statement.

Kwasi Kwarteng: During the Implementation Period, the terms of the UK’s participation in EU agencies and bodies is as set out in Article 128 of the Withdrawal Agreement.Following our exit from the European Union, we are committed to maintaining a close and collaborative relationship with the EU. Our future partnership is a matter for the next phase of negotiations and we look forward to constructive discussions with the EU.

Department for International Trade

Department for International Trade: Advertising

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 February 2019 to Question 211704 on World Economic Forum: Advertising, how many contracts his Department has signed in the past two years with advertisers or advertising suppliers; and how many of those contracts include a non-disclosure or confidentiality clause of the kind referred to in that Answer.

George Hollingbery: The activity referenced in Question 211704 was composed of contracts which prohibited the release of their contents to a third party. The Department has signed three contracts with media buying agencies in the last two years and all of these contain standard clauses relating to transparency which do not fetter our ability to disclose appropriate information. Individual business units within the department have delegated authority to spend up to £10,000 on local contracts without central recording and the terms of these contracts are not held centrally.

Trade Agreements

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the Government plans to rollover the EU Free Trade Agreement with Canada in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

George Hollingbery: In the event of leaving the EU without a deal, the UK is seeking continuity for our existing EU free trade agreements, including the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada. Both Prime Minister May and Prime Minister Trudeau have agreed to working towards a ‘seamless transition’ of CETA. Discussions are at an advanced stage.

European Economic Area and European Free Trade Association

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Governments of EEA and EFTA member states on the future of trade with those countries in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

George Hollingbery: As we leave the EU, the UK remains committed to continuing our close trading relationships with our EEA and EFTA partners. The Government is working to ensure there is no disruption to our trading relationships, including maintaining the effects of our existing preferential trade arrangements with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.Most recently, the Secretary of State signed trade agreements with Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Ministers and officials in the Department for International Trade continue to work closely with counterparts in the EEA States to put in place new arrangements should the UK leaving the EU without a deal. Fully replicating the effects of the existing arrangements will be challenging if we do not reach a deal with the EU due to the high degree of alignment with the EU internal market.

Trade Agreements: Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 8 February 2019 to Question 216933, Trade Agreements: Israel, on which borders are the (a) pre-existing agreements and (b) Continuity Agreement agreed in principle between the UK and Israel based.

George Hollingbery: The EU-Israel Trade Agreements apply to the State of Israel. The same position is being incorporated into the UK-Israel Agreement. The UK does not recognise the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), including the settlements, as part of the State of Israel. The OPTs are not covered by the current EU-Israel Trade Agreements, nor by the UK-Israel Agreement. The EU-Palestinian Authority Interim Agreement applies to the territory of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The same position is being incorporated into the UK-Palestinian Authority Interim Agreement, which is due to be signed in the coming weeks.

EU External Trade: Trade Agreements

Mr Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, which Departments are responsible for each of the EU free trade agreements that the UK is seeking to roll-over.

George Hollingbery: The task of ensuring continuity of EU free trade agreements is a cross-government programme with the Department of International Trade’s Trade Policy Group (TPG) working closely with other government departments, alongside the Department for International Development (DFID), the Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Mobile Phones: Fees and Charges

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions his Department has had with representatives of the telecommunications industry on the introduction of roaming charges after the UK leaves the EU.

Margot James: Ministers and officials have carried out extensive engagement on EU exit with representatives of the telecommunications industry, trade bodies, consumer bodies and the regulator Ofcom. In the event of no deal, the government has published a technical notice on mobile roaming. This is available here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/mobile-roaming-if-theres-no-brexit-deal/mobile-roaming-if-theres-no-brexit-deal. Some mobile operators (3, EE, O2 and Vodafone - which cover over 85% of mobile subscribers) have already said they have no current plans to change their approach to mobile roaming after the UK leaves the EU.